Addressing DeKalb County’s Homeless Concerns
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our county –like many others across the country– has witnessed an increase in homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a total of 438 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023 in DeKalb County. Since November 2023, approximately 8,000 individuals have utilized DeKalb’s […]
Latin American Association’s 42 years of ‘tireless work’ for Hispanic community
Stepping into the Latin American Association’s spacious two-story atrium, visitors are greeted by an array of colorful artwork and posters glowing in the sunlight streaming through the large glass-enclosed entryway. During a recent tour of the headquarters, LAA CEO Santigo Marquez detailed the multi-faceted approach the LAA takes to meet the needs of a population […]
SPLOST II On November Ballot to Fund $850 million in Major County Improvements Such as Public Safety, Parks & Rec, New Roads, Animal Shelter
When DeKalb County, Georgia, voters cast their ballots in the Nov. 7 election for various county and municipal officials, they also will decide whether to continue to have an additional 1 percent Special Local Option Sales Tax added to purchases made within the county for another six years starting in 2024.The lengthy ballot question may […]
DeKalb Fire Chief Named Georgia Chief of the Year
DeKalb County Fire Chief Darnell Fullum has been named 2023 Fire Chief of the Year by the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs, the group of the state’s chiefs with the goal of improving fire service Georgia residents. “I share this honor with the brave and dedicated men and women of DeKalb County Fire Rescue who […]
DeKalb Resident says she’s ‘Tremendously blessed’ thanks to Motel2Home program aided by Commissioner Patrick’s county funds
“Tremendously blessed.” Those are the words Catherine Johnson uses to describe her life after she and her two grandchildren were able to move out of an extended stay hotel into an apartment thanks to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Motel2Home program, with funding from the office of DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner and […]
Importance of Digitizing DeKalb Records Documenting Sale and Purchase of Enslaved Persons
DeKalb County Commission Presiding Officer and District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick is proud to contribute to DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry’s initiative to create an online database documenting the sale and purchase of enslaved persons in DeKalb County. “In recognition of DeKalb’s 200th anniversary, I’m honored that my office can contribute to this […]
What voters need to know about the SPLOST II vote in DeKalb County on Nov. 7, 2023
In 2017, an overwhelming 71% of DeKalb County voters approved the county’s first Special Option Local Sales Tax (SPLOST), adding a penny sales tax to fund public safety and capital improvements. The penny tax has is expected to generate $636 million for the county and its cities by the time it expires in 2024. Those […]
Demolition ceremony makes way for new fire station in Tucker
Tucker, GA — City of Tucker and DeKalb County officials gathered on July 28 to kick off demolition of a former Department of Public Health building at 4329 Cowan Road to make way for a new Fire Station No. 5. The new facility will cost $8.2 million and will be the second of five new […]
Brookhaven and Expected Chamblee Annexations Scrutinized
Annexations are complex processes, and with the news reverberating through north DeKalb County following the city of Brookhaven’s announcement that it intends to annex roughly 600 acres around Toco Hills later this month, residents and businesses in the affected areas should understand the potential ramifications of such a move. DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner and […]
“I’m very proud:” Commissioner Robert Patrick on Unanimous Passage of Nondiscrimination Ordinance
A nondiscrimination ordinance introduced by Commissioner Robert Patrick was unanimously passed by the Board of Commissioners on July 11, 2023. “I’m very proud of the colleagues that I serve with,” said Patrick, who represents District 1 and is the presiding officer. “The ordinance talks about classes and groups of people, but those are family members, […]